Poor Diet Quality Linked to Oral Cancer

To investigate the association between dietary patterns and the risk of developing oral cavity cancer.

226 incident oral cavity cancer cases identified, including 124 among women.
Women in the lowest quartiles of adherence to the Prudent and Alternative Healthy Eating Index–2010 had 1.86 and 2.17 times the likelihood of oral cavity cancer, respectively.
Incidence of oral cavity cancer increased by approximately two cases per 100,000 person-years in the lowest adherence categories compared to the highest.
No statistically significant associations were observed for men.

Relatively small number of oral cavity cancer cases despite large cohort size.
Potential residual confounding related to oral hygiene, periodontal disease, dental care, and unmeasured tobacco or alcohol exposure.
Self-reported dietary intake and predominantly non-Hispanic White health professionals limit generalizability.

The study is the largest prospective analysis of dietary patterns and oral cavity cancer to date.